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Monday, June 19, 2017

Political
circles are surprised by the inclusion of the private company Creative
Helanka, owned by artiste Jackson Anthony, in the list of state
institutions that comes under finance and media minister Mangala
Samaraweera. The gazette notification mentions it in the 31st position
among state departments, statutory boards and corporations. Previously,
neither the finance ministry nor the media ministry had such an
institution coming under it.

When contacted, Anthony said Creative Helanka is fully owned by him.
Started in 2010 it produced ‘Maha Sancharaya’ and other documentaries,
‘Daskon’ and ‘Sri Raja’ and other tele dramas. He said he was surprised
to find his company mentioned in a government gazette. Recently, an
investigation was carried out into a Rs. 18 million payment to this
company for having organized ‘Karadiyawara Mangalyaya’ at the launch of
Hambantota port. It was just one of the events it had organized during
the previous regime.

When contacted, a media ministry spokesman said the private company has
been brought under the ministry, but that nothing had been known about
it. The presidential secretariat, under the signature of its secretary
P.B. Abeykoon, has issued the relevant gazette. Attempts to reach
Abeykoon for a comment failed, with his private secretary saying he was
at a meeting with the president.